Conventional Wisdom Sucks

For example: the Republican’s would like you to think Obama is this huge celebrity who draws fawning crowds. Apparently, this means he’s out of touch, or something naughty.

Why this sucks: This is America asstard. We adore celebrities, and if you’re drawing fawning crowds then sign me up for the fan club.

Here’s another —

For example: Sarah Palin’s speech last night was a home run.

Why this sucks: No one likes the snide, condensending rookie who thinks they know better than you, and no one likes folks who throw sucker-punches but then high tail it away from the fight and hide.

Here’s another —

For example: this election is about Obama.

Why this sucks: We all know Obama by now, and he’s not running against his Bizarro-self. This election is about us, or the collective wisdom and judgement of the American people. We’ll either elect the small, fearful side of ourselves that’s been on display for the past eight years, or the part of us that knows we can do better and deserve better.

More often than not you can take conventional wisdom, or what some try to pass off as conventional wisdom, make a beeline in the opposite direction, and have a solid argument for yourself.

You could also look at the phrase itself. There is nothing conventional about wisdom. As anyone who’s been hit by true wisdom can attest, the effects are a lot of things, but feeling conventional are not one of them.

September 04 2008 07:16:08 AM EDT